Star Wars: The RPG ~ Episode VII: Dawn of the New Republic IC Thread

[NiteMare Shape]

​

The man closes his eyes, and some of the large shipping crates begin to tremble, then the crates begin to shift...and there is a sudden avalanche of debris as the various shipping containers come crashing down between the killer and where Huc and Mission are standing, effectively sealing them in where they stand.

"And now it is just us, Jedi." He says, stepping forward, still grinning. "I am called Servus, and I will be your executioner."

Servus slowly advances on me, twirling his lightsaber as he makes his approach. I reach out with The Force, I can feel Huc and Mission behind the newly created wall of shipping crates. They are both alive and unhurt, for which I give thanks.

Servus stalls his advance, almost taunting me to make the first move. When I don't give in, he leaps toward me, his lightsaber posed to strike. I bring my blade up to meet his just as it is about to strike me down.

With our lightsabers locked against each other, Servus and I each struggle to gain an upper hand. Unable to do so, I push against Servus and jump back, using The Force I extend my jump, giving myself more space to mount my next attack.

Servus rushes at me, seemingly swinging his lightsaber wildly, but as I block each blow I see that he attacks with a controlled chaos, a manner that I have never seen before.

Servus swings at my head, an attack that would have cleanly decapitated me had it connected. Instead, I parried the blow with my lightsaber, and use the Force to push him away from me....sending him crashing through a shipping crate several meters away.

"Impressive, Jedi. You You have a great deal of anger inside of you...Hatred. Yet, you choose not to use them. Pity, I believe that you could be a great Sith."

"Sorry friend, but I think you're mistaken."

"No, there is no mistaking what I feel inside of you. I almost regret that I must take your life here today."

Before I can say anything else, Servus presses his attack. He strikes at me with a flurry of thrusts, all failing to find their mark. He looks at me, snarling and again attempts to end the fight by separating me from my head. I block his strike yet again, twisting my blade in a circular motion, finally forcing his lightsaber from his hand.

"It's over, surrender now."

He looks to me, then to his lightsaber hilt, laying silently on the ground several feet away from us.

"Don't try it." I say as I use the Force to push his lightsaber farther out of reach.

Servus looks to his lightsaber, now out of reach, then back to me. Deciding that it would be too dangerous to risk calling for his weapon, he raises his hands in surrender. Then his face curls into a sneer, and he brings his hands down again, holding them straight out in front of him. Before I know it, blue lightning fires from his fingertips directly at me.

I bring my lightsaber up at the last instant, catching the lightning on my blade. I ride out the onslaught, but am surprised at what I find when it finally ends...Servus is gone...as is his lightsaber.

A sudden movement catches my attention, I look to the source and see several of the shipping crates that had falling, trapping Huc and Mission behind them are beginning to move as Huc tries to get passed the barricade.

I then come to a realization that sends a shiver up my spine...I can no longer feel Servus in the Force, yet I can hear his laughter coming from deeper in the warehouse...taunting me through the darkness.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

double post​

 

[Carnage27]

"Finally," I say pushing through the boxes and crates that separated Mission and I from Joren and the Lightsaber Killer. "I hate being boxed in."

Mission gives me a look, "Really? Boxed in?"

"I thought it was clever." She gives me another look, "Not the time. Got it."

I see Joren standing by himself, and Dono entering the wharehouse with our weapons. The two of us take them from him and I head back towards Joren, "So where is he?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Finally," I say pushing through the boxes and crates that separated Mission and I from Joren and the Lightsaber Killer. "I hate being boxed in."

Mission gives me a look, "Really? Boxed in?"

"I thought it was clever." She gives me another look, "Not the time. Got it."

I see Joren standing by himself, and Dono entering the wharehouse with our weapons. The two of us take them from him and I head back towards Joren, "So where is he?"

"In there." I say, pointing into the darkened bowels of the warehouse.

"He's trying to lead us further inside...I think he's planning something for us."

 

[wiegeabo]

"You keep talking, Antilles, I may have to take you up into space and show you how to make the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs."

"Are you ever going to get tired of bragging about that? Or are you complaining this time?" I say with an elbow to his ribs.

"How about we find someplace more comfortable to catch up? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'll we've seen since coming to Coruscant in the inside of our prison cells."

I look to Leia. "I assume I still have quarters assigned to me. Think we can find places for some Jedi students?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Are you ever going to get tired of bragging about that? Or are you complaining this time?" I say with an elbow to his ribs.

"How about we find someplace more comfortable to catch up? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'll we've seen since coming to Coruscant in the inside of our prison cells."

I look to Leia. "I assume I still have quarters assigned to me. Think we can find places for some Jedi students?"

"Of course, You're quarters are still yours. And as for your students, let me look into it, I think I can find some comfortable accomodations for them as well."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Of course, You're quarters are still yours. And as for your students, let me look into it, I think I can find some comfortable accomodations for them as well."

I smile. "I figured you might."

***

It doesn't even take an hour for Leia to find a place for everyone. But at the moment, we're in my apartment. Even Threepio and Artoo, who we've rescued from custody, are here. We should be celebrating the good news. We're free, for the moment, and our family is growing.

But we can't.

"And that's why I have to leave," I say to everyone. "I can't let Joran and Huc fight this murderer on their own. They're excelling, yes, but if the killer is a trained Dark Lord..."

"But, Master Luke. You do not know where Padawan Kel and Padawan Vondar are."

"I realize...wait. What did you call them?"

"Padawan, sir. It was in the Jedi database Artoo and I discovered in the temple. I have been studying all the data contained on it during your time away," Threepio says proudly.

"I bet you have. Padawan..." I let the word roll around in my mouth. I think I like 'apprentice' better.

"Yes, Master Luke. The word is derived from-"

"That's ok, Threepio. And, like I was saying, I realize I don't know where they are. Until they check in, my only choice is to start on Nar Shaddaa and try and pick up on their trail. And I need to leave now before they get too far ahead...or it's too late."

 

[wiegeabo]

The Chimera drops out of hyperspace at the edge of the system, and immediately receive hails from the base to confirm our identity. I subtly smile at this. One would think it unnecessary to confirm the identity of a Star Destroyer. And, in fact, before I had consolidated my authority, Imperial security had become lax leading to a successful Rebel attack.

Suffice it to say, that no longer occurs.

"Identity confimed, Chimera. Welcome to Bilbringi, Grand Admirial Thrawn."

The comm line closes and the bridge officers continue on with their duties. Pellaeon steps up beside me.

"Status report."

"The equipment we loaded from Wayland is prepped and ready for departure, sir. Our engineers estimate it will take a minimum of six months to duplicate and install the systems for phase three."

"Six months..."

"That is a...minimum estimate, Admiral."

"I see. Not exactly the number I wished to hear."

"No, sir."

"But...better to take our time and ensure this is done properly. Phases one and two, Captain?"

"Ah, those numbers are more acceptable. Assuming the continued assisstance of our new ally, phase two will be ready to implement within 3 months. Phase one...within the week, two, at the most."

I nod approvingly. "Good. Very good. It's time to move on the Rebels. I have the feeling our current hit and run methods are losing their desired effect."

"Prolonged exposure to any negative stimuli will eventually breed indifference to it."

I raise an eyebrow and glance at the Pellaeon. "Well said, Captain."

Pellaeon's chest puffs up slightly. "Thank you, Admiral." He then brings forward the pad he was holding behind his back. "There is further news, sir. From Delta Source."

I immediately turn to face the Captain. "Indeed." He offers me the datapad. I take it and start scanning through the text. My eyes widen slightly at the intelligence Delta Source has gathered.

"I am trying to confirm the veracity of the report, Admiral-"

"No, there is no need. Delta Source is always accurate. And any attempts to confirm it's accuracy will only serve to bring about exposure." Pellaeon sighs slightly. "I know you want to know who Delta Source is, but that is a secret for only me to hold."

"Yes, sir."

"Cheer up, Captain. Every is going according to plan, and now controlling Master C'baoth will be even easier. Soon enough, the Rebels will finally be defeated, and we can begin the process of rebuilding the Empire's former glory."

 

[Carnage27]

"That's ok, Threepio. And, like I was saying, I realize I don't know where they are. Until they check in, my only choice is to start on Nar Shaddaa and try and pick up on their trail. And I need to leave now before they get too far ahead...or it's too late."

"I'll come too," I chime in. "Sounds like you're going to need all the help you can get. And it'll give Corran and I to look for some pilots for Rogue Squadron."

I have to admit that it excites me to possibly head out with Luke again. It's been too long since the two of us went on some kind of harebrained adventure together, and with his and Corran's help I know we can put together one hell of a fighter squadron.

"Of course that's as long as you don't mind two Corellians tagging along."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"In there." I say, pointing into the darkened bowels of the warehouse.

"He's trying to lead us further inside...I think he's planning something for us."

I lead our small group into the darkness of the warehouse. Once we are deeper into the structure, our only light emanating from my lightsaber.

As we move along silently through the maze of shipping crates, I can hear something up ahead of us...Servus...leading us where he wants us to go. It is now that I come to a chilling realization...I can hear him up ahead of us...but I cannot feel him.

The man we have been tracking...The Lightsaber Killer...Servus...can hide his presence in the Force.

And we're heading straight into his trap.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

​

Zsinj makes his way to the command deck of the Imperial Star Destroyer Iron Fist, marching toward the captain with determination.​

Shortly after dismissing Captain Tylon from his quarters, the Imperial Warlord began to think on the orders he had given, and began to think that perhaps they were orders issued in haste.​

As Zsinj steps onto the deck, he hears an ensign shout out "ADMIRAL ON DECK!" and he feels a tinge of satisfaction as he sees everyone on deck stiffen in uncomfortable silence as he approaches Captain Tylon.​

"Sir, we are prepping shuttles and troop transport for a surface landing. We will be ready to deploy our ground forces in 5 minutes."​

""Very good Captain. Now cancel that order."​

"Sir?"​

"You heard me correctly Captain. I have decided that our presence is not needed here afterall. I want you to cancel all orders for troop deployment and prepare for a jump to Dathomir. ​

"Begging your pardon sir, but what about gathering intelligence on the Rebels and the rogue Imperial forces?"​

"I want you to deploy Viper probe droids in this system, and then again on several designated stops on our route back to Dathomir. That should be more than enough to supply us with the information we are looking for."​

"Very good, Sir." Tylon says uncertainly as Zsinj turns away, leaving him standing alone on the control deck.​

 

[Carnage27]

I slink through the wharehouse, searching for any signs of the lightsaber killer. But one thin frightens me. Literally frightens me. I can't feel him in the Force anymore. He's masked himself, making him virtually invisible to my allies and I.

Suddenly a flurry of red light shoots out from a box to my right, and I react quickly to deflect a swipe from the killer's lightsaber. He comes at me with ferocity, but I manage to fend him off fairly well.

He sweeps at my legs, and I spring off the floor using the Force to leap over him. I bring my vibrosword down, which nicks his shoulder, which only seems to fuel his rage. The Force user forces me back with a combination of attacks, and I call out to the others who are somewhere else in the wharehouse, "Any time you guys want to help, it would be great!"
​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

I slink through the wharehouse, searching for any signs of the lightsaber killer. But one thin frightens me. Literally frightens me. I can't feel him in the Force anymore. He's masked himself, making him virtually invisible to my allies and I.​

Suddenly a flurry of red light shoots out from a box to my right, and I react quickly to deflect a swipe from the killer's lightsaber. He comes at me with ferocity, but I manage to fend him off fairly well.​

He sweeps at my legs, and I spring off the floor using the Force to leap over him. I bring my vibrosword down, which nicks his shoulder, which only seems to fuel his rage. The Force user forces me back with a combination of attacks, and I call out to the others who are somewhere else in the wharehouse, "Any time you guys want to help, it would be great!"​

Servus gets Huc on the defensive with a flurry of quick jabs and swings with his lightsaber, which Huc does a good job of fending off with his special vibroblade.

I spring into action just as it is beginning to look like Servus is gaining the upper hand. He knocks Huc slightly off balance, and brings his lightsaber down in a killing stroke. I get there just in time, blocking the strike with my own lightsaber and use the Force to push Servus away from us. He crashes hard into the side of a shipping crate and runs off again into the darkness, leading us into the bowels of the shipping center.

I look over to Huc, who gives me a nod as we take off after our elusive opponent.

 

[Carnage27]

The shuttle touches down on the Revenge, and I step out as Admiral Sykes greets me at the foot of the ramp, "Admiral, how is the fleet progressing?"

"Very well, sir," Sykes answers with a smile. "We have received the full compliment of Cutlass-9 fighters, as well as the three Liberator frigates. However, the Dauntless cruiser and the two Hornet carriers are slightly behind schedule."

"Good," I say, leading him to m private quarters. As the door closes behind us I sit down, "I have given the apprentices free reign for now. It will give me time to plan our next moves, as well as attempt to find more apprentices."

"More, sir? You aren't over extending yourself?" Sykes asks.

"I don't need to be checked up on, Admiral," I scoff. "You forget your place. Besides...I have one in mind already. One I have been watching for quite some time."
​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Servus gets Huc on the defensive with a flurry of quick jabs and swings with his lightsaber, which Huc does a good job of fending off with his special vibroblade.

I spring into action just as it is beginning to look like Servus is gaining the upper hand. He knocks Huc slightly off balance, and brings his lightsaber down in a killing stroke. I get there just in time, blocking the strike with my own lightsaber and use the Force to push Servus away from us. He crashes hard into the side of a shipping crate and runs off again into the darkness, leading us into the bowels of the shipping center.

I look over to Huc, who gives me a nod as we take off after our elusive opponent.

Huc, Dono, Mission, and I cautiously move into the darkened depths of the shipping warehouse after Servus. Dono reaches into his utility belt and produces a small but powerful glowrod that illuminates the immediate area around us.

We continue moving through the warehouse until we come to a small passageway which leads down and away from the warehouse proper.

"This way." I say, motioning down the passageway.

We continue down the passageway which eventually opens into a wider hallway, and then into a wide open room filled with various equipment for the preparation of shipping materials across long distances.

Large crates lay all across the room, which is a tangle of different wires and components...and in the far corner I see the chamber used for encasing tibanna gas in carbonite to preserve it for long journeys.

"Keep your eyes peeled, I don't like this." I say as Servus suddenly strikes, hitting Dono and Mission with blue bolts of lightening from his fingertips, even as he rushes toward us, activating his lightsaber with his free hand.

 

[Carnage27]

"'I don't like this'. Honestly, it's like you're a walking, talking, bad-luck machine," I joke around with Joren as I deflect a few strikes from the lightsaber killer's blade. I reach out in the Force and pull a small crate from a pile and toss it at him. He moves quickly to bat it away, but I act quickly and deliver a swift kick to his hip, sending him stumbling backwards. "Nice try, buddy."

"Don't be so cocky, Jedi!" he says sending lightning my way. I attempt to deflect it with my vibrosword, but the bolts still coarse through my body and send me flying back into a pile of crates.

"Ouch...that's gonna leave a mark."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"'I don't like this'. Honestly, it's like you're a walking, talking, bad-luck machine," I joke around with Joren as I deflect a few strikes from the lightsaber killer's blade. I reach out in the Force and pull a small crate from a pile and toss it at him. He moves quickly to bat it away, but I act quickly and deliver a swift kick to his hip, sending him stumbling backwards. "Nice try, buddy."

"Don't be so cocky, Jedi!" he says sending lightning my way. I attempt to deflect it with my vibrosword, but the bolts still coarse through my body and send me flying back into a pile of crates.

"Ouch...that's gonna leave a mark."

Servus stands there with a sadistic grin on his face, reveling in what he has done to my friends. However, I do not allow him to enjoy his minor triumph for long.

I swing my lightsaber at him, striking several times with blows that he easily deflects.

"Why do you insist on delaying the inevitable? You will fall by my hands. You know this to be true, put down your weapon and let us end this." He says, mock pleading with me.

"You know that's not going to happen." I say as I use the Force to push Servus away from me.

He hits the ground and rolls to his feet. I meet him again, swinging my lightsaber at his head. He bends backward, allowing my lightsaber to pass over his head. He comes around with a wild swing of his own, attemting to sweep my legs with his blade. I am able to avoid his blade by jumping over them, then I bring my blade back down in an arc that catches him by surprise, forcing him to drop his weapon.

Servus glares at me, then dives towards his lightsaber, calling it to him. On one knee, he ignites his lightsaber and levels the blade, pointing it directly at me.

"Let us end this." He says as he again rushes toward me.

 

[Carnage27]

"Let us end this." He says as he again rushes toward me.

"Let's!" I say coming at the killer from the side, and sliding in beneath him, sweeping his legs out from under him. He quickly regains his footing, but Joren and I quickly go o the offensive, battling him backwards in order to break his defenses.

Before we can do that though, he sends a wave through the Force, sending the two of us sliding back, but still on our feet. I look over at Joren, "Got any bright ideas?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Let's!" I say coming at the killer from the side, and sliding in beneath him, sweeping his legs out from under him. He quickly regains his footing, but Joren and I quickly go o the offensive, battling him backwards in order to break his defenses.

Before we can do that though, he sends a wave through the Force, sending the two of us sliding back, but still on our feet. I look over at Joren, "Got any bright ideas?"

Before I can answer, Servus hits us both with another wave of Force Lightning. I try to absorb the lightning on the blade of my lightsaber, however, I'm too late. Huc and I are both completely ensnared it the deadly web of blue electricity.

Suddenly, Servus' concentration is snapped as a rocket soars over hor heads, exploding on impact on the roof of the warehouse, sending debris down on Servus' head.

I look behind me, and see Dono laying on his back, his arm still raised after firing the shot from his wrist rocket launcher. I take advantage of Servus' momentary distraction to rush at him.

With every nerve ending in my body screaming in protest, I bring my lightsaber to bare against him. Our blades clash in a fury of sparks as we furiously bring our blades together.

We take turns striking at one another, both nearly hitting true with several strikes, only to be blocked at the last instand by the other's blade.

"This is futile. We can do this forever. You cannot defeat me...you have the potential, but you refuse to take the necessary steps do what you must. And because of that, you will never win." He taunts.

"You're mistaken." I say as I charge him, relentlessly battering him with my lightsaber.

Servus brings his lightsaber up over his head to defend against my attack. I continue to hammer at him, bringing him down to one knee. I raise my lightsaber up and bring it down. Servus tries to block my attack, but my loghtsaber misses him blade, instead it slices through the hilt of his weapon, severing it in two.

Undeterred, Servus sweeps my legs out from under me and backflips away, creating separation beween us.

"You've fought well, Jedi. You can go to your grave knowing that you almost defeated me...which is more than any other being in the galaxy can say." He says as he raises his arms up in the air, creating a torrent of force lightning, a true Force Storm.

I know that if I do not act, Huc, myself and all my friends will die here today, and the Lightsaber Killer will escape, to take more lives...to continue to thin the line of potential Jedi Knights.

From where I lay, I summon the Force, using it to propel him through the air, absorbing stay bolts of lightning as he passes through the storm of his own creation, until he finally lands in the carbonite freezing chamber. I focus, and use the Force to flip the activation switch, freezing Servus, the man known as The Lightsaber Killer in carbonite.

***​

After the dust settles, Dono, Mission, Huc and Myself stand over the slate which holds the frozen frame of Servus. We all have seen better days, but we are alive...and that is what matters.​

"Carbonite, that should hold him forever. Nice work Vod'ika." Dono says he looks down at Servus' face, frozen with an expression of pure agony etched across it.​

"Yeah, but Joren...how did you know he'd survive the freezing process?"​

"I didn't." I say as I turn and head out of the warehouse.​

 

[Carnage27]

Joren's works are cold, emotionless, and they strike me to the core. To have such disregard for life, even the life of the enemy is not the Jedi way. Even I know that, and I've been doing this for less time than he had. I look down at his body encased in the alloy and shake my head. If he is dead, it's a horrible way to go. If not...well I don't even know where to go from here.

We're supposed to be pillars of righteousness in this time of uncertanty. We're supposed to become the people that the galaxy look to for guidance. Not this. Not killing those that need to be brought to justice. Not this.

Dono and Joren walk out of the wharehouse and I stay behind, and radio Sergeant Pyne, "Sergeant, we got him. Sending you the coordinates now. He's...uhhh...he's been frozen in carbonite. I don't know if he's alive or not."

"Hut'uunla...kandosii," I hear Mission whisper behind me.

"Uhh...what?" I say, shrugging my shoulders.

"We need to teach you Mando'a. I was saying this isn't right," Mission says coming up from behind me. "There's no honor in this victory. Master Skywalker will not like this one bit."

I nod in agreement, "We'll make sure to talk to him about it when we meet up with him again. In private without Joren. And I don't think we should bring it up to Joren. He feels..."

"Off. I know. I don't like this Huc," she says shaking her head.

"I know. Neither do I."

 

[Rain Dog]

Dozens of swoop bikes pulled up in front of the massive gates of the desert fortress. The marauders dismounted their vehicles and grouped together in front of the door. Two burly Nikto thugs struggled with a huge, elongated object wrapped in a soggy cloth. Their leader, the Clantaani marksman, Jakk, stood before the group. He slid his hand in a pouch at his belt and drew a new pinch of t’bac which he tucked behind his lips. The marauders stepped aside as Jakk walked through the group, walking towards the palace. He pounded on the hot iron door and waited silently for a response.

A small cap in the door, previously unnoticed by the marauders, popped open and out stretched a mechanical eye on a stalk.

“Damnation…a tattletale droid…”

“Achuta. What do you want?”

“We seek an audience with Her Highness, Anachro the H’unn.”

“Nobata. Anachro is not accepting visitors at this time.”

“We’re here to collect the bounty on Rotta Desilijic Tiure.”

“…Transmitting data……”

“What’s wron—“

“—Shhhh!”

“…Master Anachro says this is not likely. She has received any information regarding the demise of the ‘Gundark-humper.’”

Jakk leered at the droid and spat out a glob of black bile.

“Anachro doesn’t know about his death because no one knows about his death. No one but us. We got proof, though. We even x’ed his majordomo…”

The two burly Niktos approached the droid and began to unravel the bloody cloth covering their heavy trophy. They presented their prize to the mechanical eye—the massive, blood-drenched, severed head of a Chevin. The droid blinked in surprise.

“…Transmitting data…”

The marauders continued to stand silently, their eyes fixated on the droid. They did their best to hide their nervousness but many could not help but fidget as they awaited the droid’s judgment. Only Jakk seemed truly at ease.

“Bargon u noa-a-uyat. Chowbaso.”

The droid retreated into its hole and the cap sealed. The marauders let out a collective sigh of relief as they heard the loud clanks and clicks of gears and the massive door began to lift itself out of the sands.

“We’re in, boys.”

* * *​

“Your visions were correct. This is the correct location."

“It seems Hutt’s compound is guarded by a tattletale. This will be more difficult than Zuckuss had imagined. Shall we wait for another opportunity to arrive? Perhaps when the Hutt is more…exposed?”

"If that is what you wish. Although it is unnecessary. And unlikely. Crime lords’ homes are always well fortified. Especially Hutts. At no time will he leave the presence of his guards."

“His guards are not what concerns Zuckuss. His guards will die by my staff and 4-LOM’s blaster. The guard droid is the issue. How do we get past it?”

“Oh. That is the issue? Take my blaster."

The droid shoved its rifle into its partner’s hands.

“That wall is too strong to be blasted through.”

"Stand aside."

The droid nonchalantly strolled towards the heavy durasteel doors, walking right through the electronic sensors that alerted the compound’s guard droid.

“Die wanna wanga?”

"Greetings! I am 9-LOM, insectoid-cyborg relations. I come bearing a message for the exalted Grubba the Hutt."

“From who?”

"From Master Quaffug of Blimph. Master Quaffug contacted Grubba beforehand. My meeting with Grubba should have been scheduled."

“I have no records of such a meeting. I shall contact the Master…”

"You do not have records? Perhaps I should check your programming."

“That won’t be necessary.”

Despite the guard droid’s protest, the rogue protocol droid plugged itself into the door’s control panel.

“Hey! Stop that! What are you doing?! Sto—SECURITY PROTOCOLS OVERRIDDEN. LIVE CAMERA FEED DEACTIVATED.”

The mechanical eye retreated into the door. Locks began to click and the doors slid open. Zuckuss stepped out of the shadows and approached his partner, handing it its weapon.

“Impressive.”

"Such pitiful programming."

* * *​

“We’re here to sssee Bossss Yovu.”

“And who are you?”

“Rantel Kreet.”

“Don’t know you. Leave now.”

“I got ssssomething to deliver to him.”

The bouncers drew blaster pistols from their pockets and aimed them at the Barabel.

“Go.”

“Sssorry,” the Barabel hissed as he scurried away. The reptile turned a corner and headed east before abruptly turning into an alleyway.

“Roma? I take it you couldn’t get in.”

“No, it’sss guarded.”

“Of course it’s guarded.”

“We need a plan to get inssside.”

“I got a plan. Follow me.”

Vorssk grabbed the Trandoshan ACP gun strapped to his back and marched out of the alley with his Barabel companion following close behind. They headed west before abruptly turning a corner and marched toward the club entrance. The bouncers were conversing, paying no heed to the two reptilian thugs approaching them.

“Hey!” Vorssk shouted, cocking his gun.

A bouncer turned around and was promptly blasted in the chest by the Trandoshan’s weapon, completely obliterating his torso. The other bouncer fumbled for his blaster but sprayed with bolts from the ACP, the force of the blast sending him off his feet and into the wall behind him.

“That’s all you had to do, pal.”

“I didn’t have an ACP.”

“You should get one,” Vorssk chuckled before kicking open the door of the dingy club.

 

[Carnage27]

​

"Sir, how will you find her?" Sykes says in the Sith Academy on Telos. He's one of the few of my men that knows the truth about me, and I do trust him here, in the place of the Force. "She's notoriously hard to find...not to mention fairly confrontational."

"You let me worry about that, Admiral," I say tossing a pack of clothes into the Sith Infiltrator. "Besides, I plan on a confrontation. It's the only way for me to prove that I am the stronger of the two. After all, I was trained by the true Sith lord, not that pretender, Vader."

I walk up the ship's ramp and begin to power it up. Before raising the ramp, I turn to the Admiral, "No worries, Admiral. When I return, another of the Emperor's Hands will be on our side."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Joren's works are cold, emotionless, and they strike me to the core. To have such disregard for life, even the life of the enemy is not the Jedi way. Even I know that, and I've been doing this for less time than he had. I look down at his body encased in the alloy and shake my head. If he is dead, it's a horrible way to go. If not...well I don't even know where to go from here.

We're supposed to be pillars of righteousness in this time of uncertanty. We're supposed to become the people that the galaxy look to for guidance. Not this. Not killing those that need to be brought to justice. Not this.

Dono and Joren walk out of the wharehouse and I stay behind, and radio Sergeant Pyne, "Sergeant, we got him. Sending you the coordinates now. He's...uhhh...he's been frozen in carbonite. I don't know if he's alive or not."

"Hut'uunla...kandosii," I hear Mission whisper behind me.

"Uhh...what?" I say, shrugging my shoulders.

"We need to teach you Mando'a. I was saying this isn't right," Mission says coming up from behind me. "There's no honor in this victory. Master Skywalker will not like this one bit."

I nod in agreement, "We'll make sure to talk to him about it when we meet up with him again. In private without Joren. And I don't think we should bring it up to Joren. He feels..."

"Off. I know. I don't like this Huc," she says shaking her head.

"I know. Neither do I."

As Dono and I emerge from the warehouse, I notice that Mission and Huc are keeping their distance from us as they follow behind us.

Through the Force I can feel their discomfort with what had happened in the warehouse...and their fears.

The worries they share are understandable, if roles had been reversed and it was Huc that had done what I did, I would certainly have the same fears that they have been expressing between one another.

And I would have been wrong, just as they are now.

"You go on ahead, make sure Nyna and Kelsa are alright. I'm sure they're worried." I say to Dono as we continue away from the warehouse.

"You're not coming?" Dono asks, his surprise showing from behind him Mandalorian helmet.

"I'll be along in a minute. I just want to talk to Huc and Mission for a moment."

"Alright. See you in a few." Dono says as he heads toward the crowded street.

I come to a stop as I wait for Huc and Mission to catch up, and as they approach I can see the looks of concern on their faces.

"We need to talk."

 

[Carnage27]

I come to a stop as I wait for Huc and Mission to catch up, and as they approach I can see the looks of concern on their faces.

"We need to talk."

Sithspit.

"What's up?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Sithspit.

"What's up?"

I'm taken aback by Huc's reaction. Not so much his verbal response, but his reaction in the Force. He has been shaken by the battle with Servus, and he is disturbed by my actions inside the shipping warehouse...as is Mission.

Yet they both put up a front, trying not to let it show. But they don't have to show me that they are uncomfortable with how things played out, their unease pours into the Force.

"I know you're not happy with how things went down with the Lightsaber Killer. I'm not either...." I pause before continuing. "But he didn't leave me much choice. If I wasn't able to stop him then and there, he would have killed us all."